New measures are to be introduced which will help local authorities evict tenants who are engaging in serious anti-social behaviour.
Minister for Housing Jan O'Sullivan has said there is a problem at present with evicting such offenders and the Government will be introducing new legislation next year.
She also said that she is going to use current legislation to put a probationary period in place for new tenants.
If they engage in anti-social behaviour, they could be denied the tenancy.
Last year, there were more than 6,000 complaints of anti-social behaviour in local authority housing in seven of the country's largest councils - the four Dublin local authorities as well as Cork, Limerick and Galway city councils.
Complaints included problems with loud music, graffiti, intimidation and drug dealing.
Most were said not to be serious.
The seven authorities conducted 47 evictions for anti-social behaviour last year.
The figure includes some voluntary surrenders.
So far this year the councils have conducted 20 evictions for such behaviour.
